Building upon the momentum of a successful summer, we are energized for all that awaits us this fall. At the forefront is our continued effort to refocus the discussion of Breast Cancer Awareness month. In our just released October Paper, we renew our call to define breast cancer "awareness" in broader terms - to move away from the highly commercialized pink movement and towards the important message of prevention from exposure to toxic chemicals of concern. Without a redistribution of time, attention, and funding in support of preventive measures, the legacy of breast cancer and other diseases will remain largely unchanged for future generations.

During the month of October, we will return to the state house to host an informational forum for our legislators in an effort to help them better understand the need for funding critical water quality research. In the coming months, we will also be expanding our community education efforts through webinars and the continued expansion of our Let's Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures tour.

"Prevention" may not sound as appealing as curing a disease, but efforts towards this goal would be far more impactful - isn't that the aim of "Breast Cancer Awareness" month? As we continue to ask critical questions and advocate for changes to public policy, our efforts will extend well beyond "Breast Cancer Awareness" month.

With gratitude,

Cheryl Osimo

Executive Director

Redefining "Breast Cancer Awareness"

Once again we are sitting on the cusp of "Breast Cancer Awareness" month, where most of the messaging will revolve around shopping for a cure. Mentions of the "Cure," the 'just around the corner' resolution to this horrific disease is prolific for the 31 days of October. The complexities of public health, the importance of patient advocacy, and educational outreach is reduced and redacted to a simple phrase: "For a Cure." This catchy marketing phrase and its well known corresponding color and ribbon accoutrement eradicates the human element of a breast cancer diagnosis. This phrase does little to support those coping with this harsh diagnosis nor does it protect future generations.

Breast cancer awareness should not have to be reduced to a simple phrase or pink-washed to be impactful. In 31 days, together, we can take meaningful action to reduce the burden of environmentally-linked diseases. While grateful for all the efforts and funding towards treatment options, instead of a pink movement this October and a reiteration of the "For a Cure" marketing, we ask all our supporters to use the 31 days of October to truly expand breast cancer awareness to encompass prevention, chemicals of concern, and to "go green" this month.

We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2016 Against the Tide is now open! We are offering a fundraising incentive for the two highest fundraisers during the month of October. The highest fundraiser will receive a gift certificate of $120 for a pair of running shoes from Marathon Sports. The second highest fundraiser will receive a day's fishing trip on Nantucket Sound for 4 people courtesy of Hy-Line Cruises. To register, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/mbcc.

Let's Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures

Encouraging a discussion between health professionals and their patients

As we continue to spread the word about the importance of understanding the risks of toxic exposures, we are always appreciative when our supporters reach out to their local news editors. Thank you to Marjorie Cotton Supple for taking the time and initiative to write the Cape Cod Times about our Let's Talk Prevention Program. "Marjorie is a dedicated MBCC volunteer and we appreciate her support by educating the citizens of the Cape and across Massachusetts about the challenges we face," says Cheryl Osimo, MBCC's Executive Director, and Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute. To read Marjorie's letter, please click here.

We are pleased to announce that our patient brochure is now available in Portuguese, in addition to English, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. For more information on the Let's Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures program, please click here.

Where will the Let's Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures tour be next?

The Attorney General's Office reports that there are few complaints/objections filed with MDAR related to the NSTAR/Eversource herbicide spraying this year. Complaints are necessary for the AG to investigate the spraying. They require documentation. Send your objections and report any questionable spraying activity you see. Ask the Attorney General's Office to investigate MDAR (the state agency charged with regulating the utility spraying) and its pathetic oversight, inspection, enforcement, and worse -- the very approval of the Yearly Operational Plan. Attorney General Maura Healey is the "people's lawyer"-- chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In her inaugural address, she stated, "The division will fight to keep our children safe and healthy, in their schools and in their homes, on the streets and online." How about if those homes, streets, and schools are under or abutting the NSTAR/Eversource rights-of-way (ROWs)? The longer term problem is the further degradation of the Cape's water which affects everyone whether you live on or near the utility rights-of-way or not. 2000 plus gallons of herbicide applied every year over the soil and water of Cape Cod benefits nothing but the bottom line of this bully corporation NSTAR/Eversource.

Time is running out to halt this poison plan. It's still possible to spare some properties but it needs your attention TODAY. The spray crews are already out there. Let us know if you see them and we will help you document any chemical exposure for future legal action. We have lawyers willing to help but documentation is required.

GreenCAPE has several legal and field strategies up our green sleeves. Stay tuned. Here are a few actions YOU can easily take now that will make a difference in the outcome of this NSTAR/Eversource surreptitious toxic trespass on private and municipal properties.

Click herefor the full NSTAR Update, including immediate actions you can take to prevent NSTAR spraying in your community.

Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute will be presenting at Wellfleet OysterFest on October 17th

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About MBCC

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. MBCC is the only education and advocacy non-profit in the country working closely with an environmental research organization toward breast cancer prevention. Thank you for supporting our efforts toward breast cancer prevention. Learn more.